Design

The Ki-45 was to be replaced by the Ki-102. The designer of the Ki-102 was Takeo Doi. To save time it was decided to use the Ki-96 as a bases for the Ki-102.

Tail wheel was retractable.

Each crew member was in their own enclosed cockpits.

High Altitude Modifications

Six of the pre-production aircraft were modified to be high altitude fighters. The crew area was modified and Mitsubishi Ha-112-IIru engines were installed. Only 15 were eventually delivered because of difficulties with the turbo chargers.

Prototype

The Ki-102 prototype first flew in March 1944. Testing showed that the tail wheel strut needed to be taller as the Ki-102 was directionally unstable on the ground.

Production

In October 1944 the Ki-102 was ordered into production.

Prototypes:
3

Production: February - March 1944

Pre-Production: 20

Production: April - October 1944

Prototypes and pre production: 23

Kawasaki Ki-102a: 26 (6 conversions of pre-production aircraft)

Production / Conversions: June 1944 - March 1945

Kawasaki Ki-102b: 215

Production: October 1944 - July 1945

Deliveries began in late 1944.

Total: 238, 241

Manufacturer: Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K.K.

Conversions:

Kawasaki Ki-102a: 6, 26

First flew in June 1944.

Kawasaki Ki-102c: 2

Conversion: July - August 1945

First flew in July 1945.

Variants

Kawasaki Ki-102c: Night fighter. Engine had superchargers for high altitude flight. Could carry a 57 mm cannon. Fuselage was lengthened and wing area increased to facilitate night landings. The radar was in a plexiglas's dome above the fuselage. Never saw combat as war ended.

Special Fighter 2: Was to have two Mitsubishi Ha-104 (1,900 HP) engines that would provide greater speed but sacrifice flight time. Only on drawing board.

Usage

Many of the Ki-102s were stationed in Japan to protect the home islands.

Units

Sentais: 28th, 45th

27th Kokuritsu Dai Shijugo Chutai

Air-to-Ground Missile

The Ki-102b was used in the Igo-1-B air-to-ground guided missile tests.